I honestly don’t know why I’ve never shared this photo of a young male Northern Harrier lifting off from the ground at Farmington Bay WMA in Utah until now.

Young male Northern Harrier lifting off from the ground, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, UtahYoung male Northern Harrier lifting off from the ground – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

The first-winter harrier gave me a terrific, dynamic pose as it lifted off from the snow-covered ground. I had great eye contact with the bird, and the light was beautiful. In some respects, it’s a dream shot, and I enjoy looking at this image.

Maybe I was swamped with a project, racing to meet a deadline, or just worn out from the nonstop news about a pandemic on the horizon that had us all on edge. Maybe I got interrupted after editing this photo that day, and it slipped my mind. I don’t know for sure.

What I do know for sure?

Is that it does not bother me that today I am sharing a Northern Harrier photo I took five years and one month ago. It’s still a compelling Northern Harrier image.

Besides, I’d share photos even older than that—and I have—if I felt like they met my standards. Sometimes, even if they don’t, if they fit into what I’m writing about.

I have to admit, I wish I weren’t having trouble getting high-quality Northern Harrier photos right now. Here, they just seem to stay out of my reach. I hope that changes because I adore photographing these raptors.

This week looks like the weather could get nasty starting Tuesday, so I may be pulling more photos from the past and sharing them here. That’s not a bad thing. At all.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my Northern Harrier photos plus facts and information about this species.